Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia spp.)

What are they?

Moon jellyfish are a common species of jellyfish that can be found in every ocean around the world. Moon jellies are best known for their symmetrical, “moon-like” bells with four stomachs, four oral arms, and an array of tentacles around the perimeter.

Made up of 96% water, These marine invertebrates have no bones, heart, lungs, ears, eyes, or even a brain. They are made up of a simple nervous system called a “nerve net” which sends impulses throughout their bodies when they come into contact with another object, such as food.

Jellyfish have four main body parts:

tentacles

oral arms

mouth

stomachs

These four body parts work together to capture food and move it into the stomachs for digestion. The tentacles are the first to come into contact with food. As jellyfish bell (also referred to as “pulse”) the tentacles pass the food onto the oral arms, where it’s moved up to the mouth and finally, into their stomachs.